In conjunction with ATP, Mogwai were tasked with curating a series of events from artists that inspired or intrigued them through the years. The stellar list of names ranges from hip hop legends Public Enemy to mind bending electronica like Tim Hecker. The series of events runs until the 5th July and if tonight's gig is anything to go by it's probably worth getting involved.
Sometimes a band and a venue work in perfect harmony and Scotland's post rock stalwarts and the Roundhouse are a perfect fit for the aural purists in attendance. It is the second of two nights at the Roundhouse for Mogwai and the band made each set considerably different to appease those who went to both and my guess is a large majority did as there is an element of the hardcore about those in the crowd.
Stuart Braithwaite and co. have always been regarded as some kind of post-rock champions breaking a genre through and paving the way for bands ranging from Explosions in the Sky to Sigur Ros. Two considerably different bands that both owe a debt of gratitude to Mogwai. They'd probably say otherwise, they don't particular take themselves seriously unlike many other post-rock acts that have come after them.
The night opens with 'Superheroes of BMX' a track that appears as far back as 1997 on their Satin EP it builds upon layers until it reaches a screech that is almost unbearable before ending suddenly. It's almost as if they've made it their own musical hallmark.
'You don't know Jesus' from 'Rock Action' is apocalyptic rock at its finest. Enough to make you shriek, curl up into a ball and adopt the foetal position yet those in attendance go the other way. The moments of climatic rock isn't reacted too like it is at a normal gig, its met with furious celebration as if a cathartic screeching magic wand has been flown over parts of the crowd.
'George Square Thatcher Death Party' still remains one of the best named tracks of the decade and is more melodic than the extremes we have heard before it proving they aren't all action and no nuance. This is reaffirmed as the song segways into 'Re-murdered' a track that maintains an abrasive core but is propped up by chunky electronics and sees a veritable rave up happening in much of the crowd.
By this stage we are putty to be done with whatever Mogwai please. They destroy us as the electronic tinged wooziness of 'Hunted by a Freak' veers into the brutal savagery of 'Mogwai fear Satan'. We are done, throw the towel in, HELP!
The encore of the melodic yet thundering 'I know you are but what am I?' and the ape shit yet meticulous space-fuckery of 'My Father, My King' ends a stupendous gig. They've reconfirmed themselves as the dons of the genre and have made me love them a little bit more.
Enjoy your weekend everyone, I'll be spending mine exploring two decades of Mogwai.
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.